Have your say on Sub Rooms options

Published:
Friday, 3 February, 2017

An open day is being held on Saturday 18 February to allow the public and community groups to find out more about the future plans for the Stroud Subscription Rooms.

Last week Stroud district councillors approved a list of options to be explored for the 183 year-old building, which last year saw funding costs rise to £415,000. The Sub Rooms is the only council-owned and run arts and entertainment facility in the district.

Councillor Doina Cornell, vice-chair of the council’s Strategy and Resources Committee and chair of the group tasked with assessing the options for the Sub Rooms, said:

"We are now in a position to consider the three options of keeping the building under council control; allowing another organisation to run the Sub Rooms as a public arts and cultural facility; or to sell it on the open market. We have already had a number of interested parties contact us, however this open event will allow anyone else who is thinking about putting a proposal together to find out more. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone interested in the future of the Subs to learn more about it and put their views forward."

The open day takes place between 9.30am and 2pm in the Sub Rooms’ ballroom on Saturday 18 February and includes information on the history of the venue, its current activities, an explanation of the options available and details of the work undertaken so far on exploring the Sub Rooms’ future.

Councillor Cornell added:

"Cuts in government funding are affecting councils across the country, not just us, so we really need to make sure that we provide services as efficiently as possible. It is clear that the Subs is close to many people’s hearts, but when you’re talking about a building that costs over £400,000 a year to run, we really need to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent wisely and see if there is a better way to run things than at present. The next few months will see us assess any proposals and ideas put to us and we expect to come to a decision or shortlist towards the end of the year."

Information will also be made available online at stroud.gov.uk from Monday 20 February.